AS YOU READ Use this informal outline to take notes on the Declaration of Independence.

1. AS YOU READUse this informal outline to take notes on the Declaration of Independence. RSG pages 61-62

2. I. The Preamble A. B.

3. I. The Preamble A. It has become necessary for the Colonies to separate from England. B. What follows are the reasons that this separation is necessary.

4. II. The Right of the people to Control Their Government A. B. C. D.

5. II. The Right of the people to Control Their Government A. The natural rights of citizens come from GOD. (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) B. Governments are supposed to protect these rights. C. The power of any government comes from the consent/permission of the people D. When a government no longer protects the rights of its citizens nor listens to them, then that government must change or it MUST be changed by the people

6. III. Tyrannical Acts of the British King (27) • A. • B. • C. • D. • E. • F.

7. III. Tyrannical Acts of the British King (27) A. Parliament imposed taxes without consent of colonists and without colonial representation B. Deprived citizens their rights to trial by jury C. Dissolved colonial charters & murdered citizens D. Dissolved or suspended duly elected local government E. Placed military power OVER the power of duly elected local officials (civil power) F. Has refused to right these wrongs even after being formally requested to do so.

8. IV. Efforts of the Colonies to Avoid Separation A. B. C.

9. IV. Efforts of the Colonies to Avoid Separation A. Petitions to Parliament (plus letters to individuals) and the King B. Sent representatives from the colonies to Parliament and the King C. Olive Branch Petition sent AFTER Lexington and Concord/Bunker Hill

10. V. The Colonies are Declared Free and Independent A. B. C.

11. V. The Colonies are Declared Free and Independent A. Representatives of each colony = United States of America B. Appeal to God and world for understanding and recognition of the moral rightness of their acts C. Declare the colonies as free and independent countries – United in their defense & governance (wage war, make alliances, set up an economic system)

13. Explain to the world why the colonies were separating from England • Declare Independence from England

14. Explain to the world why the colonies were separating from England • Declare Independence from England Magna Carta, Bill of Rights, Enlightenment Freedom of choice, Natural rights, protected individual rights of citizens,

15. Explain to the world why the colonies were separating from England • Declare Independence from England Magna Carta, Bill of Rights, Enlightenment Freedom of choice, Natural rights, governments are to protect individual rights of citizens, John Locke & Montesquieu, Mayflower Compact, Social Contract, consent of the governed, protects rights of citizens

16. Explain to the world why the colonies were separating from England • Declare Independence from England Magna Carta, Bill of Rights, Enlightenment Freedom of choice, Natural rights, protected individual rights of citizens, John Locke & Montesquieu, Mayflower Compact, Social Contract, consent of the governed, protects rights of citizens A LIST of 27 Complaints How the king has acted as a tyrant and how parliament has refused the colonist their rights as English citizens

18. Ideas Behind the Declaration Renaissance – Man, with education & effort, could accomplish anything (education + perseverance + determination) Magna Carta (1215) – protected rights of nobles and was written constitution/contract (p230) The Mayflower Compact (1620) – men could agree to govern themselves The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639) – representative government / first WRITTEN constitution English Bill of Rights (1689) – Laws of Parliament SUPREME & protected individual rights of citizens (p230) Review of Rights “all men created equal” “endowed by their creator” “LIFE, LIBERTY & the PERSUIT OF HAPPINESS Governments are supposed to secure this rights for its citizens

19. Ideas Behind the Declaration The Mayflower Compact (1620) – men could agree to govern themselves The Great Awakening – God created all men equally (p 137-139) Allegiance to God – power of state NOT absolute Individual conscience, man answers to God for what does/doesn’t do Freedom of choice The Enlightenment – (1600-1700) Montesquieu – King’s “right” to rule is NOT GOD given JOHN LOCKE – philosophy that government is a SOCIAL CONTRACT Between GOVERNMENT / political leaders and the people they govern lasts only as long as it protects natural (fundamental) rights of life, religious liberty and equality before the law (p. 224) Ideas of Government Power of government comes from the consent of those governed (the people) Citizens have right and DUTY to change or get rid of a government that no longer keeps them safe and allows them to prosper Such change should not be undertaken for “light or transient” reasons

21. Answers to Questions • The Declaration of Independence said that the colonists had the right to form a new government because the British government had repeatedly destroyed the colonists’ rights. • The Declaration listed 27 offenses to explain why the colonists were seeking independence from his rule. • The king rejected the colonist’s petitions.